Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel at his 2017 State of the County address said: “Fiscal stability will always be a cornerstone of our administration.”
Photos by DAVE ANGELL — FOR THE MACOMB DAILY

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel used his 2017 State of the County address Wednesday night to boast about the county’s achievements and plans for the future while acknowledging one of it’s darkest issues.

In his seventh county address, Hackel said local employment, housing starts and median income are all on the increase and show no sign of slowing down as the automotive industry, defense contractors and others are investing billions of dollars into Macomb’s economy.

“We could be living in the best times Macomb County has ever seen,” he said at the Macomb Center for Performing Arts.

But he also took time to address the major pay-to-play scandal that has garnered media attention for the past year.

Eighteen people -- including six former or current elected officials -- and well-known businesspeople have been indicted on bribery and extortion charges.

The former sheriff-turned-executive said he’s been frequently asked by the media if the charges have given the county a “black eye,” but he sees it more as a “welcome change” from past practices.

“What I learned from years in law enforcement is that people don’t speak up either because they are afraid of retaliation or they don’t know who they can trust,” he told the invitation-only crowd.

“I would like to believe these indictments are giving comfort and assurance to the public that it’s OK to come forward, knowing that there are public officials out there who will not only listen, but act to put an end to this.”

Afterward, Hackel told reporters he “wouldn’t be surprised” if more public figures are arrested in the coming year. One reported target of the FBI’s probe is Anthony Marrocco, the former county public works commissioner who was defeated by Candice Miller in the 2016 election.

But the majority of Hackel’s seventh annual address centered on positive accomplishments of his administration, which has taken a team approach to running county government, the robust healthy economy and the county’s upcoming bicentennial celebration in 2018.

Wearing a metallic-gray suit and a checkered Nordstrom tie, Hackel was introduced to the audience by WDIV-TV (Channel 4) broadcast journalist Paula Tutman.

He said planned technological and infrastructure improvements will help enhance Macomb’s economic future. Fiscal stability will “always be a cornerstone” of his administration, he said.

Hackel touched on a variety of topics during his 44-minute talk. Among the highlights:

• More technological upgrades are in the works as the county looks to modernize facilities in the Circuit Court building in Mount Clemens

• Macomb will retain the Sam Bernstein Law Firm and New York-based Weitz & Luxenberg law firm to file litigation against several major pharmaceutical companies for distributing excessive opioid prescriptions, sparking a national epidemic. That would follow lawsuits filed by Wayne and Oakland counties on similar grounds

• The county gained more than 3,000 new residents since last year, while median income is up 9 percent. New housing starts are strong as Macomb saw 1,600 new housing permits issued in 2016

• A near-record 440,000 people are in Macomb’s workforce

• Automotive companies have invested more than $8.3 billion in local communities since 2010 from Ford, General Motors and Chrysler as well as suppliers

• Macomb remains the defense capital as it is home to almost 700 contractors and being awarded $1.8 billion in contracts

• Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township is one of five military bases under consideration for the home of a squadron of F-35A fighter jets

• Healthcare remains one of the fastest-growing industries, with St. John’s Providence Hospital in Warren last month beginning work on a $48 million expansion

• Plans are in the works for additional water testing to reduce beach closings. A major emphasis will be a study of water fowl as part of a “process of elimination” of potential causes

• The Make Macomb Your Home campaign now has 25,000 followers in 50 countries. Hackel said it’s more than a website -- “it has evolved into a digital force”

• For the county’s Bicentennial celebration in 2018, Macomb will host a 200-mile non-stop torch relay through every community in the county. The relay will start and end in Mount Clemens and Hackel -- who routinely runs -- will be a participant.

Melanie Davis, president and CEO of the Sterling Heights Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said before the address she agreed the local economy is doing well.

“What I’m hearing from our members is business is going well,” she said. “In fact, most businesses are having a problem finding enough qualified employees and that’s a great problem to have.”

David Herrington, a partner in the Plante & Moran accounting firm, agreed.

“We have to fight to find talent as it’s hard for us to find people,” he said. “The economic trend is very good.”

Leon Drolet, a county commissioner and former state lawmaker, was happy not to hear of any major new spending initiatives.

“I think he missed an opportunity to point out the low cost of our services and our low tax rate. We provide a good value for families to live here and I think that’s worth bragging about,” Drolet said.

Afterward, the 1,200 guests enjoyed a “Taste of Macomb” -- offerings of 30 Macomb County eateries -- at the adjacent Lorenzo Cultural Center.